Tag: 1987 Constitution

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Lacson: Senator-Judges Facing Arrest, Detention May Still Join Impeachment Trial Without Online Participation

Senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte who are facing arrest and detention may still participate in the proceedings without resorting to online attendance or voting, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday.

Lacson said this will remain in compliance with the Rules of the Senate, where online or remote participation and voting is allowed only in cases of force majeure or extreme circumstances, and in national emergencies.

“One remedy is for the Impeachment Court to ask the Sandiganbayan or any court/s to which their cases would be assigned for ‘leave of court,’ and if granted, order the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology or their custodian/s to escort them to the Senate so they may participate in the impeachment trial of the Vice President. The senator-judges will be physically present,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on DZBB radio.

“Work-from-jail is not allowed,” he added. “We cannot allow online participation because that is reserved for force majeure and national emergencies.”

In Filipino: Lacson: Senator-Judges Na Nahaharap sa Pag-Aresto, Pwede Pang Makilahok sa Impeachment Trial na Hindi Mag-Online

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Lacson: Senate Must Heed Law Deans’ Call to Proceed with Impeachment Trial

The Senate should heed the call of law deans to proceed with the possible impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte not just because it comes from some of the country’s foremost legal minds, but because it is a constitutional mandate, Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson was referring to the statement of law deans and professors from leading Philippine law schools that refusing to convene as an impeachment court may expose senators to administrative and criminal liability.

“Not only is this a powerful statement coming from powerful legal minds of the country which the Senate should take seriously, but more importantly, it is what the Constitution unequivocally provides,” he said.

In Filipino: Lacson: Senado, Dapat Pakinggan ang Panawagan ng Mga Law Dean Para Ituloy ang Impeachment Trial

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Lacson: Constitution First in Government Response to ICC Charges

Upholding the Constitution must take precedence over all considerations —including loyalty to colleagues — in the government’s response to the International Criminal Court (ICC) charges against Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson maintained that the Senate’s moral ascendancy remains intact, so long as it adheres to the Charter – particularly the provisions on immunity from arrest under Art. VI, Sec. 11.

“If we violate the law of the land, we have nothing to discuss. We are complying with the provision of the Constitution, which is the fundamental law of the land. It is clear that there is immunity from arrest if the penalty is six years and below, and Congress is in session,” he said in English and Filipino in an interview on One News.

In Filipino: Lacson: Konstitusyon ang Unahin sa Tugon ng Pamahalaan sa mga Kaso ng ICC

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Lacson: Stand on Respecting Local Courts to Uphold Our Legal Processes, Not Shield Senators

What I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in the Constitution, and not Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa or Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go who now face charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson stressed this on Monday as he addressed criticisms about his stand that local Philippine courts must be respected in whatever course of action the ICC may take.

“To those who criticize my opinion on the need for a corresponding domestic court order before the ICC warrants of arrest against our fellow senators and others may be implemented, let me be clear: what I am protecting is our country’s legal processes as enshrined in Article III Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, not Senators Ronald de la Rosa and Bong Go,” Lacson said on X.

“Despite contrasting legal opinions on the matter, at the proper time, it is only the Supreme Court that will interpret the constitutional provision and legal procedure in this regard,” he added.

In Filipino: Lacson: Paninindigan sa Paggalang sa Local Courts, Para Itaguyod ang Ating Legal na Proseso, Hindi Para Protektahan ang mga Senador

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Ping Lacson: Constitution and Evidence, Not Surveys, to be My Guides as Senator-Judge

The 1987 Constitution and the evidence – and not surveys – will be the guides of Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson as one of the senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Lacson emphasized this point in response to recent survey results and surge of social media sentiments, which reflect a wide range of public opinions regarding the impeachment trial.

“I can only speak for myself as a senator-judge in the incoming Senate of the 20th Congress acting as an impeachment court: I will only be guided by the Constitution, particularly Art XI, Sec. 3 that deals with the accountability of public officials first; and second, the evidence that will be presented by the prosecution team of the House of Representatives as well as the rebuttal of the defense team and not what the surveys or opinions and comments of netizens on different social media platforms,” he said.

In Filipino: Ping Lacson: Saligang Batas at Ebidensya, at Hindi Survey, ang Gabay Ko Bilang Senator-Judge

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